Farmers’ perceptions on soil erosion and effect of conservation on soil nutrient status in kedida gamela woreda, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, soil erosion by water constitutes to the most widespread and damaging process of soil degradation. Several studies indicate that soil erosion and the associated decline in soil fertility is developing into major constraint to agricultural production in Ethiopias. So far a lot of soil and water conservation practices have been employed in the study area. However, farmers’ perception of soil erosion and participation in SWC practices and the effects of those practices on soil fertility have not been assessed and documented properly for the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess farmers’ perceptions and participation in SWC practices and their effects on some key soil properties at Azedobo kebel, Kedida Gamela district, Southern Ethiopia. A random sampling procedure was used to select the sample households in three slopes in the keble. Questionnaire survey was administered with 108 households to capture their perception of soil erosion and their asset holding in relation to implementing soil conservation practices. Also three farm fields were selected to conduct a detailed study on soil properties as affected by soil conservation practices. Each farm field was divided into upper, middle and lower slopes giving a total of 9 case farm sections. In each of the 9 farm sections, 4 composite soil samples were collected from the inter-bund space to compare difference in soil properties across farms down the slope. A total of 36 composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (avail. K) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The results showed that 55% of the farmers perceived soil erosion as a major problem on crop production. The most commonly used soil conservation structures include soil and stone bunds and fanayajuu on farm lands and terraces and area closures on hillside communal areas. Although farmers are aware of the impacts of erosion, land and labor shortage impinges up on the implementation of soil conservation measures. Many of the young people are moving away from farming opting to off- farm activities such as wage labor (in town) and petty trading.. Laboratory analysis of soil samples showed that fields closer to the conservation structure(0.5-1.0 m distance) had a better soil nutrient status than those away from the structures( >1.0m). This suggests that conservation structures combined with farmyard munuring and grass strips have positive effects on soil nutrients.